Rob Wilson admitted his Newcastle Vipers team will be "up against it" at Bracknell Bees tonight, with Rob Trumbley, Paul Ferone, Michael Tasker and Stephen Wallace all out of the line-up.

That leaves Wilson with just six forwards and four defencemen for what was already looking a tough game against the British National League leaders.

Trumbley is suspended for two games after getting thrown out of last Saturday's defeat at Hull Stingrays, while Ferone is out with a hand injury and Tasker is sidelined with a knee problem. Wallace is also unavailable for the long trip to Berkshire.

The Bees, who will hand a debut to new signing Jan Krulis, are 16 points ahead of third-placed Newcastle.

However, the Vipers came out on top in their last visit to John Nike Way in the BNL, winning 2-1 in late November.

"We are going with 10 skaters," said Wilson. "Rob Trumbley's suspended for two games and Paul Ferone's got a hand injury. He's been playing with it, but can't go on any more. I hope it's only two weeks out but who knows?

"Michael Tasker's got a knee injury and Stephen Wallace is unavailable. So that leaves us with six forwards and four defencemen.

"Bracknell's a small rink and we have got a bit of a rivalry started with them since last year. It's one of those nights where you need to crash and bang, and Trumbley, Ferone and Tasker are three players who can do that.

"Not having them in the line-up makes a big difference for us."

Wilson added: "Bracknell have been doing well. They are a very strong team and a very well-balanced team. It's a place where you definitely want to go with more players rather than less.

"But we've done down there before and pulled a rabbit out of the hat and we'll have to try and do it again. Unfortunately, we're going to be up against it."

Following tonight's game Newcastle are at Guildford Flames on Saturday, before welcoming Elite League Nottingham Panthers to the Arena on Sunday (6.00).